Chesnara Regulatory News (CSN)

29 Aug 2008 07:00

CHESNARA plc - INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

4.8% increase continues strong dividend growth at Chesnara

29 August 2008

Chesnara today reported interim results for the first half of 2008. The Group is committed to offering shareholders an attractive long-term income stream arising from the profits of its life assurance business.

* Profit (on IFRS basis) before tax for the six months ended 30 June 2008

down 20% to ‚£10.0m, (2007 half-year profit before tax: ‚£12.4m)

* Earnings per share (on IFRS basis) of 7.71p, (2007 half-year earnings per

share: 9.68p) * On EEV basis pre-tax loss for the half-year of ‚£5.2m (half-year 2007 profit: ‚£11.1m). Post tax profit of ‚£2.0m (2007: ‚£7.7m) * Results adversely impacted by global investment market conditions * Persistency remains strong

* Shareholder equity on EEV basis (pre proposed interim dividend payment) now

‚£179.0m - ‚£1.71p per share (30 June 2007: ‚£188.4m - ‚£1.80p per share)

* Life company solvency ratio, after significant dividend payment strong at

227% (30 June 2007: 267%). Group solvency ratio increases to 348% post interim dividend (30 June 2007: 267%) * 5.5p interim dividend per share proposed: increased by 4.8% * Board remains confident about future dividend flows * Search for value adding acquisition opportunities continues

Graham Kettleborough, Chief Executive said:

'We have a business which is in good shape from all the key perspectives -operational, regulatory and financial - and this has underpinned the overallresult. However, we cannot be totally insulated from adverse conditions ininvestment markets and these have, inevitably, affected our results. That said,the IFRS profit remains strong and, after tax, the EEV result still provides asmall fillip to investor value.

Our confidence continues to drive our ongoing search for acquisition opportunities and our financial strength allows the Board, once again, to deliver on our promise of a reliable and progressive dividend stream by proposing a 4.8% increase in the interim dividend to 5.5p per share.'

The Board approved this statement on 28 August 2008.

Enquiries

Graham KettleboroughChief Executive, Chesnara plc 07799 407519Michael HenmanCubitt Consulting 0207 367 5100

Notes to editors:

Chesnara plc, which listed on the London Stock Exchange in May 2004, is theowner of Countrywide Assured plc ("CA"). CA is a life assurance subsidiary thatis substantially closed to new business. In June 2005 Chesnara acquired afurther closed life insurance company - City of Westminster Assurance ("CWA") -for ‚£47.8m. With effect from 30 June 2006, CWA's policies and assets weretransferred into CA plc. Chesnara's operating model is to maintain a relativelysmall governance team and outsource the majority of its back office functions. CHESNARA plcCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSfor the Six Months Ended 30 June 2008Note on Terminology

On 30 June 2006 the long-term business of City of Westminster Assurance Company Limited, a Group subsidiary acquired on 2 June 2005, was transferred, under the provisions of Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, to the Group's other principal operating subsidiary, Countrywide Assured plc, in which the whole of the Life operations of the Group now subsist. However, within this document reference is made to 'CWA ' and to 'CA ' to continue to identify respectively the long-term business which had been conducted within the respective companies prior to the transfer.

Chesnara plcCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED30 JUNE 2008FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Unaudited Year ended 6 months ended 31 December 30 June 2008 2007 2007 IFRS basis Operating profit 10.4 13.0 28.8 Financing costs (0.4) (0.6) (1.1) ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit before income taxes ‚£10.0m ‚£12.4m ‚£27.7m ========== ========== ========== Basic earnings per share 7.71p 9.68p 24.32p Dividend per share 5.5p 5.25p 15.1p Shareholders' net equity ‚£123.5m ‚£116.0m ‚£125.8m ========== ========== ==========

European Embedded Value basis (EEV)

Operating (loss) / profit (4.7) 6.0 9.7

Investment variances and economic (0.5) 5.1

(3.3)assumption changes ========== ========== ========== (Loss)/profit before tax ‚£(5.2)m ‚£11.1m ‚£6.4m ========== ========== ==========

Profit for the period, net of tax ‚£2.0m ‚£7.7m

‚£12.1m ========== ========== ========== Covered Business Shareholder net worth 57.1 77.1 77.6 Value of in-force business 85.9 105.6 94.0 ---------- ---------- ---------- Embedded value 143.0 182.7 171.6

Acquired embedded value financed by debt (8.3) (12.6) (12.4)

Shareholders' equity in other Group 44.3 18.3

28.1companies ---------- ---------- ----------

Shareholders' equity on EEV basis ‚£179.0m ‚£188.4m

‚£187.3m ========== ========== ==========

Life annual premium income (AP) ‚£47.4m ‚£52.3m

‚£102.3m

Life single premium income (SP) ‚£13.3m ‚£17.8m

‚£32.0m

Life annualised premium income ‚£48.7m ‚£54.1m

‚£105.5m(AP + 1/10 SP)

In contrast with the IFRS basis of reporting, the EEV basis recognises thediscounted value of the expected future cash flows arising from the long-termbusiness contracts in force at the period-end, as a component of shareholderequity. Accordingly, the EEV result recognises, within profit, the movement inthis component, which, for the six months ended 30 June 2008, was adverselyimpacted by global investment market conditions, giving rise to an operatingloss at the pre-tax level. This was offset by associated reductions in theestimate of future tax payable within expected future cash flows, so that theEEV result reflects a profit at the net of tax level. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to present the fifth interim statements of Chesnara plc ('Chesnara').

Background

Chesnara was listed on the London Stock Exchange in May 2004. Originally formedto become the holding company of Countrywide Assured plc on its demerger fromCountrywide plc, in June 2005 it acquired City of Westminster Assurance CompanyLimited, a further closed life assurance company, the long-term business ofwhich was transferred to Countrywide Assured plc on 30 June 2006.Countrywide Assured plc now manages a portfolio of some 195,000 life assuranceand pension policies and is substantially closed to new business. It writes asmall amount of new business and accepts top-ups to existing contracts. As asubstantially closed book it is expected that the embedded value of thebusiness will decline over time as the number of policies in force reduces andas the surplus emerging in the business is distributed by way of dividends. Asthe portfolio runs off, the regulatory capital supporting it may also bereduced and returned to shareholders.In order to prolong the yield delivery Chesnara seeks to acquire similarbusinesses. We believe, however, that such potential acquisitions should notdetract from our key objective of delivering a steady and attractive dividendyield.Review of the BusinessIn the first half of the year, none of the acquisition opportunities reviewedby the Company proved compelling. Therefore, we have concentrated our effortson enhancing shareholder value within the business. Although investment marketperformance has had an adverse effect, our long-standing prudent approach tothe business has enabled the posting of a result, which in the prevailingcircumstances, can be described as resilient.Investment market falls have depressed projected future earnings, and henceoverall company value, as part of our profit flow emanates from the charges onpolicyholder investment funds. However, we have seen further improvements inpolicy persistency with lower lapse rates than expected. With mortalityexperience remaining in line with expectations and the mortgage endowmentmisselling reserve proving adequate we are able to report a strong set ofresults.On the IFRS basis of reporting we have posted a pre-tax profit of ‚£10.0m forthe half-year ended 30 June 2008 compared with ‚£12.4m for the correspondingperiod in 2007.On the European Embedded Value ('EEV') basis of reporting, the Group recognisesa pre-tax loss of ‚£5.2m for the half-year ended 30 June 2008 compared to aprofit of ‚£11.1m for the same period in 2007. This arises largely from theimpact of falls in global investment markets and is offset by associatedreductions in the estimate of future tax so that we are able to post a positivepost-tax result, in a difficult climate, of ‚£2.0m.Total shareholder equity, as stated on an EEV basis, pre interim dividendappropriation, has reduced, albeit not as much as one might expect from thereduction in the policy base and investment market performance, from ‚£187.3m (‚£1.79 per share) at 31 December 2007 to ‚£179.0m (‚£1.71 per share) at 30 June2008.Countrywide Assured plc's capital solvency ratio at 227% remains at a healthypremium to the target set by the Board of 150%. It has reduced from 267% at thecorresponding point last year due to significant dividend transfers toChesnara. The Group's solvency position, post the proposed dividend, hasstrengthened significantly from 267% as at 30 June 2007 to 348% as at 30 June2008.Based on these results the Board is pleased to recommend an interim dividend of5.5p (2007: 5.25p), which represents an increase of 4.8% and equates to a totalinterim dividend of ‚£5.8m.Outlook

Experience in all the key areas affecting the business, with the exception ofinvestment market performance, has proved to be on target, if not better. Thefact that, overall, we have increased the net value of the Group, in the faceof a challenging environment, is very positive and bodes well for the future.We continue to search for acquisitions, both in the life assurance and relatedsectors, and remain expectant that suitable opportunities will arise and that,with our strong capital base, we are well placed to take advantage of the rightopportunity.

We remain well placed to continue to fulfil our stated objective of continuing to deliver a reliable and progressive dividend flow and wish to thank our employees for their contribution to the Group in realising this aim.

Christopher SporborgChairman28 August 2008DIRECTORS' INFORMATIONChristopher H Sporborg CBE is the Non-executive Chairman of Chesnara plc. He isalso Chairman of the Nomination Committee. He was formerly Deputy Chairman ofHambros PLC, Deputy Chairman of Hambros Bank Limited and Chairman of HambroInsurance Services Group PLC. At Hambros he was responsible for the acquisitionof Bairstow Eves PLC in 1986 and the formation of Hambro Countrywide plc and,in 1988, the creation of the life company then called Hambro Guardian Assuranceplc and now part of the Chesnara plc group of companies. He is also a directorof Getty Images Inc.Graham Kettleborough is the Chief Executive of Chesnara plc. He joinedCountrywide Assured plc in July 2000 with responsibility for marketing andbusiness development and was appointed as Managing Director and to the Board inJuly 2002. Prior to joining Countrywide Assured plc, he was Head of Servicingand a Director of the Pension Trustee Company at Scottish Provident. He haslifetime experience in the financial services industry, primarily in customerservice, marketing, product and business development, gained with ScottishProvident, Prolific Life, City of Westminster Assurance and Target Life.Ken Romney is the Finance Director and Company Secretary of Chesnara plc. Hejoined Countrywide Assured plc in 1989 and became a member of the Board in1997. He has worked in the life assurance industry for the last 24 years. Hewas Chief Accountant at Laurentian Life (formerly Imperial Trident) up to 1987and was Financial Controller at Sentinel Life between 1987 and 1989. He workedfor Price Waterhouse in their audit division until 1983 in both the UK andSouth Africa. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants inEngland and Wales.

Frank Hughes is the Business Services Director of Chesnara plc. He joined Countrywide Assured plc in November 1992 as an IT Project Manager and was appointed to the Board as IT Director in May 2002. He has 23 years' experience in the life assurance industry gained with Royal Life, Norwich Union and CMG.

Peter Mason is the Senior Independent Non-executive Director of Chesnara plcand is Chairman of the Audit Committee. He also serves on the Remuneration andNomination Committees. He is currently a Non-executive Director of HomeownersFriendly Society and Countrywide Assured plc. He is the Investment Director andActuary of Neville James Group, an investment management company. He wasadmitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 1979.

Mike Gordon is an Independent Non-executive Director of Chesnara plc and is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. He also serves on the Audit Committee and the Nomination Committee. He spent 12 years as Group Sales Director of Skandia Life Assurance Holdings. He is Chairman of Bankhall Investment Management Limited, a Skandia-owned subsidiary.

Terry Marris is a Non-executive Director of Chesnara plc and serves on the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee. He joined Countrywide Assured Group plc in 1992 and was Managing Director of Countrywide Assured plc until July 2002. Previous roles included senior management positions at Lloyds Bank and General Accident.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

Background

Chesnara seeks to participate in the consolidation of the closed life businesssector in the UK. In 2004, at the same time that we listed on the London StockExchange, we acquired Countrywide Assured plc on its effective demerger fromthe estate agency business which now forms the core of the operations ofCountrywide plc, while in 2005 we acquired City of Westminster AssuranceCompany Limited from Irish Life and Permanent plc. In 2006 we merged thelong-term business of the two companies in order to realise significantfinancial and operational synergies.As Countrywide Assured plc is substantially closed to new business its primaryfocus is on the efficient run-off of the existing life and pension portfolios.This gives rise to the emergence of surplus which supports our primary aim ofdelivering an attractive long-term dividend yield to our shareholders. By thevery nature of the life business assets the surplus arising will deplete overtime as the policies mature, expire or are the subject of a claim. Therefore,to prolong the yield delivery we seek to acquire similar businesses.

Review of the Business

During the first half of 2008 Chesnara has continued, in the absence of any compelling acquisition opportunities, to concentrate on its policy of delivering enhanced value to shareholders through focusing on the efficient run-off of its Life business.

The continued strength of the emergence of surplus has underpinned the overall financial performance of the business and enabled the delivery of a strong profit on the IFRS basis of reporting and the maintenance of a healthy regulatory solvency position.

Whilst the result has, inevitably, been negatively affected by conditionsprevailing in the investment markets these have been mitigated by acontribution from new business and tight control over expenses. There have beenno new regulatory issues that have given rise to any significant concerns orcosts.

These key areas are reviewed in more detail in the following sections.

Investment Funds

Strong performance in the unit-linked funds helps promote policy retention andincreases the embedded value of the Group as future management charges will beof a higher magnitude. The CA Managed Fund, which represents a significantproportion of the CA policyholder funds under management, returned -6.41%during the twelve months ended 30 June 2008 while the CWA Global Managed Fund,which represents a significant proportion of CWA policy funds under management,returned -8.56% over the same period. These returns, on balance, comparefavourably with the average of -7.86% achieved by the ABI Life Balanced ManagedFunds sector.

These results reflect the poor performance of the equity markets consequent upon developments in the credit markets and the general economic climate. Shareholders do not have any direct exposure to the sub-prime market. However, recent market performance does affect fund values and consequently, the embedded value. Guidance as to the sensitivity of embedded value to market movements is provided on page 30.

The Board continue to have a prudent approach to the investment of shareholderfunds, which underpins our strong solvency position. The benchmark of 70% cashand 30% fixed interest has been maintained.

Policy Attrition

The longer a policy stays in force the greater the profit that accrues to theGroup. We have continued to maintain a strong focus on the retention ofpolicies where it is in the interests of customers to continue with theirarrangements. At the 2007 year-end we reported that the rate of policyattrition had decreased. This improvement has been sustained and furtherreduction in policy cessation rates has been evident. However, this benefit hasnot been reflected in the assumptions underpinning the EEV at the half year.Should this persist, despite the current economic climate, through to theyear-end then a positive re-rating of the value of the in-force policies, andconsequently of the embedded value, through a restatement of persistencyassumptions, is possible.

Financial Exposures

The Group pays particular attention to any area where it has potentiallysignificant financial exposure. In life and pensions these typically arise inthe areas of onerous policy options and guarantees and of compensation claimsfor past misselling of products. Whilst the Group's portfolios have very littleexposure to the impact of investment market performance on options andguarantees, it does have some ongoing exposure to potential misselling ofpolicies sold in connection with an endowment mortgage. We are required to makeredress to a subset of mortgage endowment policyholders who have been missoldtheir product and to write to policyholders on a biennial basis setting outtheir potential returns based on specified growth rates. In the past there hasbeen significant media attention and aggressive advertising by claimsmanagement firms on this issue. This activity has continued to decline in thefirst half of the year as more potential claims become time-barred from makinga successful complaint. At the present time, over 80% of relevant mortgageendowments are time-barred with the balance of the population carrying littlepotential liability to compensation. We are pleased to report that, during thefirst half of 2008, the number of complaints we have received has continued toreduce. However this has been offset, to a degree, by slightly higher upholdrates. Based on current experience we believe that the reserve we hold willprove adequate.As disclosed in previous statements we identified an error in an old unitpricing system which had resulted in incorrect capital gains tax being deductedfrom unit linked funds. A project is in place to provide recompense to affectedpolicyholders in line with Treating Customers Fairly ('TCF') principles and theprovision created in 2007 (net of estimated recoveries) of ‚£2.5m (‚£1.8m net oftax) is still considered to be adequate.

Regulatory Issues

The key focus on the regulatory front in the first part of the year was toensure we met the FSA's target of the development of suitable managementinformation in order to evidence our compliance with TCF requirements by March2008. I am pleased to say that we met that target and have made significantprogress in embedding TCF into the business. The next target is being able todemonstrate full TCF compliance by December 2008 and we believe we are in goodshape to meet this requirement.

We continue to receive and review Good Practice Guides as issued by the Association of British Insurers and, where we believe it appropriate to our business, amend our practice to comply with the guidance.

Expense Base

Operational and outsourcer costs are being kept under control and our policy attrition rate is better than assumed. The result is that there are more policies in force over which fixed costs can be allocated, leading to cost efficiencies reflected in lower per policy costs.

Key to our strategy of expense base management is the outsourcing of our backoffice functions to professional outsourcing organisations. This results inpredictable levels of per policy cost each year for the term of the relevantcontract and removes cost inefficiencies that can occur as a result of adiminishing policy base.As reported at the last year-end we finalised an arrangement with Capita Lifeand Pensions Limited ('Capita') for the outsourcing of the administration ofthe CWA book early in 2007.The systems migration project undertaken by Capita, which aimed to transfer theCWA business to their systems, resulted in a successful migration on 21 July2008. We have now closed the inherited Luton operation and consequently reducedthe cost base further.

Service levels from both Capita and Liberata Financial Services Limited, who are managing the CA book of business, are in line with agreed standards.

IFRS Result

The following summarises information reflected in the IFRS Income Statement, showing the contribution from the constituent members of the Group

Parent Amortisation Total CA CWA company of AVIF ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Six months ended 30 June 2008 Operating profit 7,886 3,176 1,121 (1,751) 10,432 Financing costs - - (455) - (455) ------ ------- -------- -------- ------- Profit before income 7,886 3,176 666 (1,751) 9,977 taxes ====== ======= ======== ======== ======= Six months ended 30 June 2007 Operating profit 8,892 5,803 30 (1,751) 12,974 Financing costs - - (579) - (579) ------ ------- ------- -------- --------

Profit before income 8,892 5,803 (549) (1,751) 12,395

taxes ====== ======= ======= ======== ======== Year ended 31 December 2007 Operating profit 18,566 12,674 1,071 (3,502) 28,809 Financing costs - - (1,089) - (1,089) ------- -------- --------- -------- --------

Profit before income 18,566 12,674 (18) (3,502) 27,720

taxes ======= ======== ========= ======== ======== Notes

(1) Financing costs relate to a bank loan raised to part finance the acquisition of CWA.

(2) Amortisation of Acquired Value In-Force ('AVIF') represents a postacquisition charge to profits of the write-down of the acquired value of CWAin-force business, as measured at the acquisition date. The pattern ofamortisation is broadly intended to match the pattern of surplus arising fromthe run-off of the underlying CWA insurance and investment contract portfolios.Overall, the result for the six months ended 30 June 2008 reflects thecontinuing strong emergence of surplus in both CA and CWA, as the underlyinginsurance and investment contracts run off. However, the impact of investmentmarket conditions over the period has adversely impacted the result by some ‚£2mand this is in sharp contrast to benign investment market conditions which,together with favourable mortality experience, benefited the comparative periodfor the six months ended 30 June 2007. The resilience of the result indifficult trading conditions has been underpinned by a new businesscontribution and continuing tight control over expenses, together ‚£0.8m betterthan expected.The significant increase in parent company operating profit for the six monthsended 30 June 2008 compared with the comparative period for 2007 reflects theincreased return on investment assets following dividend transfers from the

Life subsidiary. EEV ResultSupplementary information prepared in accordance with EEV principles and setout in the financial information on pages 22 to 31 is presented to providealternative information to that presented under IFRS. EEV principles recogniseprofits as they are earned over the life of insurance and investment contractsand assist in identifying the value being generated by the life businesses. Theresult determined under this method represents principally the movement in thelife businesses' embedded value, before transfers made to the Parent Companyand ignoring any capital movements. As the Group's life assurance operationsare now substantially closed to new business, the principal underlyingcomponents of the EEV result are the expected return from the business in force(being the yield at the risk discount rate on the related policy cash flows asthey fall into surplus) together with (1) variances of actual experience fromthat assumed for each component of the policy in force cash flows and (2) theimpact of resetting assumptions for each component of the prospective cashflows.

The following is a summarised statement of the EEV result:

6 months ended Year ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000

Operating (loss)/profit before tax (4,669) 5,949 9,662

Variation from longer term investment return 428 (571) 824 -------- -------- --------- Economic assumption changes (950) 5,697 (4,043) (Loss)/profit before tax (5,191) 11,075 6,443 Tax - current (2,500) (3,355) (4,379) - deferred 9,726 5 10,053 -------- -------- ---------- Profit for the period after tax 2,035 7,725 12,117 ======== ======== ==========

Investment markets suffered significant falls over the six months ended 30 June2008, with leading UK equity market indices, for example, recording a 13%decrease over the period. The capital values of fixed interest securities alsoincurred significant reductions as interest rates eased up over the second halfof the period. These conditions affect the result both through the impact onestimated future deductions from unit-linked funds and on the impact on returnsfrom non-linked policyholder and shareholder funds.

These adverse impacts have been offset, to a degree, by:

i. the expected return (unwind of the risk discount rate at 7.7%) of ‚£5.4m;ii. favourable lapse experience of ‚£3.2m; andiii. favourable new business and expense variances of ‚£0.8m

resulting in a net pre-tax loss of some ‚£5.2m during the period.

The impact of investment market losses is further mitigated to the extent ofsome ‚£8m as a result of the associated reduction in the estimate of future taxpayable, which is dependent to a significant extent on investment returns and on the estimated level of franked investment income, and this is included in the deferred tax credit of ‚£9.7m shown above, so that the Group has achieveda positive net of tax result in the period.

Overall, these positive factors have maintained the value of the Company in a difficult and challenging trading environment.

Shareholders' Equity and Embedded Value of Covered Business - EEV Basis

The consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with EEV principles maybe summarised as: 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Value of in-force business 85,939 105,607 94,007 Other net assets 93,109 82,807 93,308 --------- --------- ---------- 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========= ========= ========== Represented by:

Embedded value ('EV') of covered business 143,005 182,669 171,639

Less: amount financed by borrowings (8,326) (12,600) (12,469)

-------- -------- ---------- EV of covered business attributable to shareholders 134,679 170,069 159,170 Net equity of other Group companies 44,369 18,345 28,145

--------- --------- --------- Shareholders' equity 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========= ========= =========

Subsequent to 31 December 2007, a dividend of ‚£30m was paid to Chesnara plc from the Life business. This reduced the EV of the covered business, while increasing the net equity of other Group companies.

The tables below, set out the components of the value of in-force business by major product line at each period end:

30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Number of policies 000 000 000 Endowment 62 70 66 Protection 70 80 75 Annuities 4 4 4 Pensions 50 52 51 Other 9 9 9 ------ ------- ------- Total 195 215 205 ====== ======= ======= 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Value in-force ‚£m ‚£m ‚£m Endowment 51.4 68.1 58.3 Protection 55.0 70.3 63.0 Annuities 2.3 2.7 2.0 Pensions 34.1 41.9 38.1 Other 0.2 0.3 1.4 -------- -------- --------- Total at product level 143.0 183.3 162.8 Valuation adjustments Holding company expenses (20.5) (21.2) (20.7) Other (20.5) (16.0) (21.4) Cost of capital (5.1) (3.0) (5.5) -------- ------- --------- Value in-force pre-tax 96.9 143.1 115.2 Taxation (11.0) (37.5) (21.2) -------- ------- -------- Value in-force post-tax 85.9 105.6 94.0 ======== ======= ========

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Group's management of insurance risk is a critical aspect of the business.The primary insurance activity carried out by the Group comprises theassumption of the risk of loss from persons that are directly subject to therisk. Such risks in general relate to life, accident, health and financialperils that may arise from an insurable event, with the majority of the Group'sexposure relating to mortality risk on individual lives, predominantly in theUK. As such, the Group is exposed to the uncertainty surrounding the timing andseverity of claims under the related contracts.The Group is also exposed to a range of financial risks through its lifeassurance contracts, financial assets, financial liabilities, includinginvestment contracts and borrowings, and its reinsurance assets. In particular,the key financial risk is that in the long-term its investment proceeds are notsufficient to fund the obligations arising from its insurance and investmentcontracts. The most important components of this financial risk are market risk(interest rate risk and equity price risk), and credit risk, including the riskof reinsurer default. The Group has procedures for setting and monitoring theGroup's assets and liability position with the objective of ensuring that theGroup can always meet its obligations without undue cost and in accordance withthe Group's internal and regulatory capital requirements.Detailed information on the characteristics and management of insurance andfinancial risks borne by the Group is provided in Notes 4 and 5 respectively ofthe Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31December 2007.

In addition, insofar as the Group makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the following assets and liabilities, there is uncertainty as to the amounts at which they may eventually be settled or realised and as to the timing of settlement or realisation:

i. estimates of future benefits payments arising from long-term insurance

contracts;

ii. fair value of investment contracts;iii. liability for redress in respect of mortgage endowment misselling complaints and of unit pricing error;iv. deferred acquisition costs and deferred income; and

v. amortisation of acquired value of in-force business.

Detailed information on these items is provided in Note 3 of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007.

There have been no changes in the nature and incidence of the principal risksand uncertainties, referred to above, during the six months ended 30 June 2008,except in relation to volatility in global investment markets. The impact ofthis on reported results for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is set out inthe commentary under 'IFRS Result' and 'EEV Result' above. Clearly there iscontinuing significant uncertainty with regard to the direction of investmentmarkets over the remaining six months of the current financial year andattention is drawn particularly to the sensitivity of the reported embeddedvalue of the Company to investment market and interest rate movements set outin Note 7 to the European Embedded Value Basis Supplementary Information on

page 30. Related Party Transactions

There have been no related party transactions that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Group during that period and there have been no changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

Solvency and Regulatory Capital

Regulatory Capital Resources and Requirements

The regulatory capital of life insurance companies in the UK is calculated byreference to FSA prudential regulations. The rules are designed to ensure thatcompanies have sufficient assets to meet their liabilities in specified adversecircumstances. As such, there is a restriction on the full transfer of surplusfrom the long-term business fund to shareholder funds of the Life company andon the full distribution of reserves from the Life company to Chesnara.The following summarises the capital resources and requirements of the Lifecompany for regulatory purposes after making provision for dividend paymentsfrom the Life company to Chesnara, which were approved after the respectiveperiod ends. There were no such dividends relating to 30 June 2008 or 30 June2007. 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£m ‚£m ‚£m

Available capital resources ('CR') 57.1 77.1 47.6 ------ ------ ------- Long-term insurance capital requirement ('LTICR') 23.6 26.9 25.1 Resilience capital requirement ('RCR') 1.5 2.0 1.5 ------ ------ ------- Total capital resources requirement ('CRR') 25.1 28.9 26.6 ------ ------ ------- Target capital requirement cover 37.0 42.4 39.1 ------ ------ ------- Excess of CR over target requirement 20.1 34.7 8.5

------ ------ ------- Ratio of available CR to CRR 227% 267% 179% ------ ------ ------- It can be seen from this information that Chesnara, which relies on dividenddistributions from its Life company, is currently in a favourable position toservice its loan commitments and to continue to pursue a progressive dividendpolicy.Insurance Group DirectiveIn accordance with the EU Insurance Group Directive, the Group calculates theexcess of the aggregate of regulatory capital employed over the aggregateminimum solvency requirement imposed by local regulators. The following setsout these calculations after the recognition of interim and final dividends forthe financial year, approved by the Board and paid to Group shareholders afterthe respective dates: 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£m ‚£m ‚£m

Available group capital resources 87.3 77.3 82.9 Group regulatory capital requirements (25.1) (28.9) (26.6)

------- -------- -------- Excess 62.2 48.4 56.3 ======= ======== ======== Cover 348% 267% 312% ======= ======== ========

The regulatory requirement is that available group capital resources should be at least 100% of capital requirements.

Individual Capital Assessments

The FSA Prudential Sourcebooks require an insurance company to make its ownassessment of its capital needs to a required standard (a 99.5% probability ofbeing able to meet its liabilities to policyholders after one year). In thelight of scrutiny of this assessment, the FSA may impose its own additionalindividual capital guidance. The Individual Capital Assessment is based on arealistic liability assessment, rather than on the statutory mathematicalreserves, and involves stress testing the resultant realistic balance sheet forthe impact of adverse events.CA completed a further annual assessment during 2007 as a result of which itwas concluded that the effective current- and medium-term capital requirementconstraints on distributions to Chesnara will continue to be on the basis setout under "Regulatory capital resources and requirements" above.

Developments

In the second half of the year Chesnara will continue to search forconsolidation or other value-enhancing acquisition opportunities and work withour outsource partners to ensure continuing delivery of acceptable servicelevels. We will also continue to progress the Treating Customers Fairly projectand maintain our focus on mortgage endowment and persistency issues.

Consolidation

Whilst there has been more activity at the top end of the market, as measuredby Embedded Value, there has been little, if any, opportunity in our targetrange. However, we continue to expect that opportunities for consolidation ofsuitably sized life assurance companies will arise.

Regulatory

With our TCF project on track, our Individual Capital Assessment indicatingthat, at present, we have no requirement to hold additional regulatory capitaland no other significant regulatory challenges emerging we will look to buildon our progress to date and to ensure that we maintain strong and focussedmanagement of our regulatory and risk programmes.

Financial Reporting

The CFO Forum, representing leading European insurers, published its 'MarketConsistent Embedded Value (MCEV) Principles and Guidance' during June 2008. Wewill be assessing the new principles and guidance with a view to implementationin 2009 and we anticipate that the application of the principles will make nomaterial difference to our published EEV, as we already adopt amarket-consistent approach.

Mortgage Endowments and Persistency

Notwithstanding the acceptable mortgage endowment experience and the positivepersistency result in the first half of the year we remain aware that they areboth significant drivers of both current and future profitability. Thereforethey will, necessarily, receive ongoing focussed management attention.

Outlook

The results for the first six months have, whilst being affected by investmentmarket performance, benefited from ongoing improvement in policy attritionrates, a new business contribution and strong expense management. We believethat the results demonstrate a level of ongoing resilience to the rigours ofadverse market conditions.Within the mortgage endowment misselling redress provision we still retain anelement of prudence: both this, and our currently strong persistencyexperience could be adversely affected by the wider economic climate.Accordingly, we have not recognised the full financial effects of theimprovement in the policy attrition rate as it is too early to assess the midto longer-term effects in this uncertain climate.

We will continue to seek other opportunities that could leverage value from our existing capabilities. If no clearly superior investment alternative is identified the possibility of, and preferred methodology for, a return of surplus capital will be considered.

We continue to believe we are well placed to fulfil our stated objective of delivering a reliable and progressive dividend flow.

The Board wishes to extend its thanks to all its employees for their continued contribution to the Group.

DividendWe have signalled that we aim to provide a reliable and progressive dividendpayment. With the continuing healthy emergence of surplus from the underlyingproduct base, the improving situation in the key areas of mortgage endowmentand persistency and the strong solvency position of the business, the Board arepleased to be able to recommend an interim dividend of 5.5p, which representsan increase of 4.8% over the 2007 interim payment. Graham KettleboroughChief Executive Officer28 August 2008

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE HALF YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

* the condensed set of consolidated financial statements has been prepared in

accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU;

* the interim management report includes a fair view of the information

required by:

a. DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of

important events that have occurred during the first six months of the

financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial

statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for

the remaining six months of the year; and

b. DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules in respect of

I. transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current

financial year that have materially affected the financial position or

performance of the Group during that period; and II. any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual

report that could do so.

On behalf of the Board:Ken RomneyFinance Director28 August 2008 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED30 JUNE 2008 Unaudited 6 months Year ended ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Note ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Insurance premium revenue 48,183 52,669 103,554 Insurance premium ceded to reinsurers (8,779) (9,453) (18,716) ---------- ---------- ----------

Net insurance premium revenue 39,404 43,216 84,838

Fee and commission income Insurance contracts 17,905 19,770 38,032 Investment contracts 4,907 4,570 9,149 Investment income 4 (114,296) 83,290 90,210 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total revenue (net of reinsurance payable) (52,080) 150,846 222,229 Other operating income 1,031 543 1,298 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income (51,049) 151,389 223,527 ---------- ---------- ----------

Policyholder claims and benefits incurred 25,384 (102,809) (157,114) Reinsurers' share of claims and

benefits incurred (4,011) 15,837 26,518 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred 4 21,373 (86,972) (130,596) ---------- ---------- ---------- Change in investment contract liabilities 51,632 (40,875) (50,697)

Reinsurers' share of investment

contract liabilities (2,352) 1,341 11,534 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net change in investment 4 contract liabilities 49,280 (39,534) (39,163) ---------- ---------- ---------- Fees, commission and other acquisition costs (601) (790) (1,546) Administrative expenses (6,531) (8,750) (15,955) Other operating expenses Charge for amortisation of intangible assets (1,740) (1,889) (3,734) Other (300) (480) (3,724) ---------- ---------- ---------- Total expenses 4 61,481 (138,415) (194,718) ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating profit 10,432 12,974 28,809 Financing costs (455) (579) (1,089) ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit before tax 9,977 12,395 27,720 Income tax expense (1,917) (2,275) (2,281) ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit for the period 3 8,060 10,120 25,439 ========= ========== ========== Basic earnings per share 2 7.71p 9.68p 24.32p ========= ========== ========== Diluted earnings per share 2 7.71p 9.68p 24.32p ========== ========== ==========

The Group considers that it has no product or distribution based segmentation and, as it only has significant business activity within the UK, it has no geographic segmentation. Accordingly, no segmented reporting is presented.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at 30 June 2008

Unaudited 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Note ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Assets Intangible assets Deferred acquisition costs 9,158 10,088 9,542 Acquired value of in-force business Insurance contracts 18,197 20,762 19,427 Investment contracts 12,118 13,135 12,627

Reinsurers' share of insurance 197,763 211,097 212,353

contract provisions Amounts deposited with 24,876 62,126 27,558reinsurers Investment properties 3,673 19,935 4,983 Financial assets

Equity securities at fair value through income 443,155 850,876 743,670 Holdings in collective investment schemes at fair value

through income 634,228 411,083 508,857 Debt securities at fair value 247,457 312,775 247,152through income

Loans and receivables including 5 13,277 49,847 15,415 insurance receivables

Derivative financial instruments 8,338 25,610 9,525

---------- ---------- ---------- Total financial assets 1,346,455 1,650,191 1,524,619 ---------- ---------- ---------- Reinsurers' share of accrued 4,356 5,631 4,661policyholder claims Income taxes - 153 - Cash and cash equivalents 244,810 247,802 225,127 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets 1,861,406 2,240,920 2,040,897 ---------- ---------- ---------- Liabilities Bank Overdrafts 1,506 - 1,229 Insurance contract provisions 1,009,868 1,134,689 1,110,848 Financial liabilities Investment contracts at fair 650,061 798,671 726,503value through income Borrowings 6 8,326 12,425 12,469

Derivative financial instruments 2,474 367 265

---------- ---------- ---------- Total financial liabilities 660,861 811,463 739,237 ---------- ---------- ---------- Provisions 3,494 537 3,575 Deferred tax liabilities 11,263 12,862 11,847 Reinsurance payables 1,942 2,192 1,622 Payables related to direct insurance and investment 24,023 25,974 22,859contracts Deferred income 15,576 17,276 16,362 Income taxes 2,643 4,626 743 Other payables 5 6,688 115,345 6,791 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total liabilities 1,737,864 2,124,964 1,915,113 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets 123,542 115,956 125,784 ========== ========== ========== Shareholders' equity Share capital 41,501 41,501 41,501 Share premium 20,458 20,458 20,458 Other reserves 50 50 50 Retained earnings 3 61,533 53,947 63,775 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 123,542 115,956 125,784 ========== ========== ========== Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended30 June 2008 Unaudited 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Profit for the year 8,060 10,120 25,439 Adjustments for:

Amortisation of deferred acquisition 384 599 1,145 costs

Amortisation of acquired in-force 1,739 1,891 3,734value Tax expense 1,917 2,275 2,281 Interest receivable (13,825) (12,357) (26,650) Dividends receivable (15,908) (17,681) (35,997) Interest expense 455 579 1,089

Change in fair value of investment (10) (1,682) (1,873) properties

Fair value losses on financial assets 146,777 918 31,768

Interest received 10,639 9,876 28,707 Dividends received 18,399 19,107 37,810 Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Decrease/(increase) in financial 30,569 (129,760) (54,327) assets

Decrease/(increase) in reinsurers' share of insurance contract provisions 14,895 (5,258) (5,544)

Decrease in amounts deposited with 2,682 1,595 36,163 reinsurers

Decrease / (increase) in other loans 2,833 (31,482) (1,975) and receivables

(Decrease) / increase in insurance (100,980) 19,492 (4,349) contract provisions

(Decrease) in investment contract (76,442) (14,308) (86,476) liabilities

(Decrease) / increase in provisions (81) (60) 2,978

Increase / (decrease) in reinsurance 320 (867) (1,437) payables

Increase / (decrease) in payables related to direct insurance and investments contracts 1,164 1,047 (2,068) Increase / (decrease) in other 1,353 106,518 (3,060)payables ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash generated from / (utilised by) 34,940 (39,438) (52,642) operations Income tax paid (600) (645) (5,399) ---------- ---------- ----------

Net cash generated from / (utilised 34,340 (40,083) (58,041) by) operating activities

========== ========== ========== Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of borrowings (4,200) (4,200) (4,200) Dividends paid (10,302) (8,419) (13,910) Interest paid (432) (714) (1,169) ---------- ---------- ----------

Net cash utilised by financing (14,934) (13,333) (19,279) activities

========== ========== ========== Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 19,406 (53,416) (77,320) Cash and cash equivalents at 223,898 301,218 301,218 beginning of period ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of 243,304 247,802 223,898 period ========== ========== ========== Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the six months ended30 June 2008 Unaudited Six months ended 30 June 2008 Capital Share Share redemption Retained Capital premium reserve earnings Total ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Equity shareholders'

funds at 1 January 2008 41,501 20,458 50 63,775 125,784

Profit for the period representing total recognised income and expenses - - - 8,060 8,060 Dividends paid - - - 10,302) (10,302) -------- -------- --------- -------- ---------- Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2008 41,501 20,458 50 61,533 123,542 ======== ======== ========= ======== ========== Unaudited Six months ended 30 June 2007 Capital Share Share redemption Retained capital premium reserve earnings Total ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Equity shareholders'

funds at 1 January 2007 41,501 20,458 50 52,246 114,255

Profit for the period representing total recognised income and expenses - - - 10,120 10,120 Dividends paid - - - (8,419) (8,419) -------- ------- --------- --------- ---------- Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2007 41,501 20,458 50 53,947 115,956 ======== ======= ======== ========= ========== Year ended 31 December 2007 Capital Share Share redemption Retained capital premium reserve earnings Total ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Equity shareholders'

funds at 1 January 2007 41,501 20,458 50 52,246 114,255

Profit for the period representing total recognised income and expenses - - - 25,439 25,439 Dividends paid - - - (13,910) (13,910) -------- -------- --------- --------- -------- Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 2007 41,501 20,458 50 63,775 125,784 ======= ======== ========= ======== ========

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of preparation

This condensed set of consolidated financial statements has been prepared inaccordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU. Asrequired by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial ServicesAuthority, the condensed set of consolidated financial statements has beenprepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied inthe preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements forthe year ended 31 December 2007, which were prepared in accordance with IFRS asadopted by the EU. Any judgements and estimates applied in the condensed set offinancial statements are consistent with those applied in the preparation ofthe Group's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31December 2007

The financial information shown in this half-year review is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2007, are notthe company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts havebeen reported on by the company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar ofCompanies. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not includea reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way ofemphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statementunder Section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Earnings per share

Earnings per share is based on the following:

Unaudited Year ended 6 months ended 31 December 30 June 2008 2007 2007

Profit for the period (‚£000) 8,060 10,120 25,439 ---------- ---------- ---------- Weighted average number of 104,588,785 104,588,785 104,588,785ordinary shares ---------- ---------- ---------- Basic earnings per share 7.71p 9.68p 24.32p ---------- ---------- ----------

Diluted earnings per share 7.71p 9.68p 24.32p ========== ========== ==========

The weighted average number of ordinary shares in respect of the six months ended 30 June 2008, the six months ended 30 June 2007 and the year ended 31 December 2007 is based on 104,588,785 shares in issue at the beginning and end of all related periods.

There were no share options outstanding during the periods covered by these financial statements. Accordingly, there is no dilution of the average number of ordinary shares in issue in respect of the periods reported.

3. Retained earnings Unaudited 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Balance at 1 January 63,775 52,246 52,246 Profit for Period 8,060 10,120 25,439 Dividends Final approved and paid for 2006 - (8,419) (8,419) Interim approved and paid for 2007 - - (5,491) Final approved and paid for 2007 (10,302) - - ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance at 30 June/31 December 61,533 53,947 63,775 ========== ========== ==========

The final dividend in respect of 2006, approved and paid in 2007, was paid at the rate of 8.05p per share.

The interim dividend in respect of 2007, approved and paid in 2007, was paid at the rate of 5.25p per share.

The final dividend in respect of 2007, approved and paid in 2008, was paid at the rate of 9.85p per share, so that the total dividend paid to the equity shareholders of the parent company in respect of the year ended 31 December 2007 was 15.1p per share.

An interim dividend of 5.5p per share in respect of the year ending 31 December2008, payable on 10 October 2008 to equity shareholders of the parent companyregistered at the close of business on 12 September 2008, the dividend recorddate, was approved by the Directors after 30 June 2008. The resulting interimdividend of ‚£5.8m has not been provided in these financial statements.

The following summarises dividend per share information in respect of the year ended 31 December 2007 and the year ending 31 December 2008:

2008 2007 Interim dividend 5.5p 5.25p ========== Final dividend 9.85p ---------- Total for the year 15.10p ==========

4. Investment Income, net policyholder claims and benefits incurred, net changes in investment contract liabilities and total expenses

Investment income for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is stated after takinginto account unrealised investment losses of approximately ‚£168m arising as aresult of global investment market falls. This has had the effect of generatingnegative total revenue (net of reinsurance payable) and negative net income. Asthis amount arises principally within policyholder unit-linked funds there is acorresponding decrease in net policyholder claims and benefits incurred and inthe net change in investment contract liabilities, such that these amounts arereflected as net credits to the income statement, giving rise to negative totalexpenses for the six months ended 30 June 2008.

5. Loans and Receivables / Other Payables

Included in loans and receivables and other payables as at 30 June 2007 areamounts of ‚£30,071,000 and ‚£109,745,000 respectively, which resulted from achange in investment policy whereby the Group repositioned a significantportion of its financial assets portfolio. These amounts were subsequentlysettled for cash.6. Borrowings Unaudited 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Bank Loan 8,326 12,425 12,469 ======== ======== ========== The bank loan, which was drawn down on 2 June 2005 under a facility madeavailable on 4 May 2005, is unsecured and is repayable in five equal annualamounts on the anniversary of the draw-down date. The outstanding principal onthe loan bears interest at a rate based on the London Inter-bank Offer Rate andis payable in arrears over a period which varies between one and six months atthe option of the borrower.

The fair value of the bank loan at 30 June 2008 was ‚£8,400,000 (30 June 2007 and 31 December 2007: ‚£12,600,000).

7. Forward-looking statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements with respect to certain ofthe plans and current expectations relating to future financial condition,business performance and results of Chesnara plc. By their nature, allforward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate tofuture events and circumstances that are beyond the control of Chesnara plcincluding, amongst other things, UK domestic and global economic and businessconditions, market-related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates,inflation, deflation, the impact of competition, changes in customerpreferences, delays in implementing proposals, the timing, impact and otheruncertainties of future acquisitions or other combinations within relevantindustries, the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the impact oftax or other legislation and other regulations in the jurisdiction in whichChesnara plc and its subsidiaries operate. As a result, Chesnara plc's actualfuture condition, business performance and results may differ materially fromthe plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied in these forward-lookingstatements.

8. Approval of condensed consolidated report for the six months ended 30 June 2008

This condensed consolidated report was approved by the Board of Directors on 28August 2008. A copy of the report will be available to the public at thecompany's registered office, Harbour House, Portway, Preston PR2 2PR, UK and atwww.chesnara.co.uk.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION - EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE BASIS

Summarised Consolidated Interim Income Statement for thesix months ended 30 June 2008 Unaudited Year ended Six months ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Note ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Operating (loss) / profit of 6 covered business (5,334) 6,498 9,678 Other operational result 665 (549) (16) ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating (loss) / profit (4,669) 5,949 9,662 Variation from longer-term investment return 428 (571) 824 Effect of economic assumption changes (950) 5,697 (4,043) ---------- ---------- ---------- (Loss) / profit before tax (5,191) 11,075 6,443 Tax 7,226 (3,350) 5,674 ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit for the period 2,035 7,725 12,117 ========== ========== ========== Earnings per share Based on profit for the period 1.95p 7.39p 11.59p ---------- ---------- ---------- Diluted earnings per share Based on profit for the period 1.95p 7.39p 11.59p ---------- ---------- ----------

Supplementary Information - European Embedded Value Basis

Summarised Consolidated Interim Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2008

Unaudited 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Note ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Assets Value of in force business 5,8 85,939 105,607 94,007

Reinsurers' share of insurance contract provisions 177,575 186,853 187,486 Amounts deposited with reinsurers 24,039 61,230 26,702

Investment properties 3,673 19,935 4,983 Deferred tax assets 82 122 88 Financial assets

Equity securities at fair value through income 443,155 850,876 743,670 Holdings in collective investment

schemes at fair value through income 634,228 411,083 508,857 Debt securities at fair value through income 247,457 312,775 247,152

Loans and receivables including insurance receivables 13,277 49,847 15,415 Derivative financial instruments 8,338 25,610 9,525

---------- ---------- ---------- Total financial assets 1,346,455 1,650,191 1,524,619 ---------- ---------- ---------- Reinsurers' share of accrued policy claims 4,356 5,631 4,660 Income taxes - 153 - Cash and cash equivalents 244,810 247,802 225,127 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets 1,886,929 2,277,524 2,067,672 ---------- ---------- ---------- Liabilities Bank Overdrafts 1,506 - 1,229Insurance contract provisions 989,974 1,111,109 1,086,581 Financial liabilities Investment contracts at fair value through income 666,811 816,535 744,222 Borrowings 8,326 12,425 12,469

Derivative financial instruments 2,474 367 265

---------- ---------- ---------- Total financial liabilities 677,611 829,327 756,956 ---------- ---------- ---------- Provisions 3,494 537 3,575 Reinsurance payables 1,942 2,192 1,622 Payables related to direct insurance and investment contracts 24,023 25,974 22,859 Income taxes 2,643 4,626 743 Other payables 6,688 115,345 6,792 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total liabilities 1,707,881 2,089,110 1,880,357 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========== ========== ========== Shareholders' equity Share capital 41,501 41,501 41,501 Share premium 20,458 20,458 20,458 Other reserves 50 50 50 Retained earnings 117,039 126,405 125,306 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 5,8 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========== ========== ==========

Supplementary Information - European Embedded Value Basis

Summarised Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity for the sixmonths ended 30 June 2008 Unaudited Year Ended Six months ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000

Shareholders' equity at 1 January 187,315 189,108 189,108

Profit for the period representing total recognised income and expense 2,035 7,725 12,117 Dividends paid (10,302) (8,419) (13,910) ---------- ---------- ----------

Shareholders' equity at 30 June/

31 December 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========== ========== ==========

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION - EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE BASIS

NOTES TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of presentation

This section sets out the detailed methodology followed for producing this

Group financial information which is supplementary to the Group's primary

financial statements which have been prepared using accounting policies

consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') and in

accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the EU..

This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the

European Embedded Value ('EEV') principles issued in May 2004 by the

European CFO Forum and supplemented by Additional Guidance on EEV

Disclosures issued by the same body in October 2005. The principles provide

a framework intended to improve comparability and transparency in embedded

value reporting across Europe.

2. Covered business

The Group uses EEV methodology to value its individual life assurance,

pension and annuity business, which has been written, with only

insignificant exceptions, in the UK ('covered business'). This business

comprises the Group's long-term business operations, being those contracts

falling under the definition of long-term insurance business for UK regulatory purposes. The Group has no business activities other than those relating to the

covered business. In particular, the operating activities of the holding

company, Chesnara plc, are treated as an integral part of the covered

business. Under EEV principles no distinction is made between insurance and

investment contracts, as there is under IFRS, which accords these classes

of contracts different accounting treatments.

3. Methodologya) Embedded ValueOverview

Shareholders' equity comprises the embedded value of the covered business,together with the net equity of other Group companies, including that of theholding company which is stated after writing down fully the carrying value ofthe covered business.The embedded value of the covered business is the aggregate of the shareholdernet worth ('SNW') and the present value of future shareholder cash flows fromin-force covered business (value of in-force business) less any deduction forthe cost of required capital. It is stated after allowance has been made foraggregate risks in the business. SNW comprises those amounts in the long-termbusiness, which are either regarded as required capital or which representsurplus assets within that business.

New business

Much of the covered business is in run-off and is, accordingly, substantiallyclosed to new business. The Group does still sell guaranteed bonds but,overall, the contribution from new business to the results established usingEEV methodology is not material. Accordingly, not all of those items related tonew business values, which are recommended by the EEV guidelines, are reportedin this supplementary financial information.

Value of in-force business

The cash flows attributable to shareholders arising from in-force business are projected using best estimate assumptions for each component of cash flow.

The present value of the projected cash flows is established by using adiscount rate which reflects the time value of money and the risks associatedwith the cash flows which are not otherwise allowed for. There is a deductionfor the cost of holding the required capital, as set out below.

Taxation

The present value of the projected cash flows arising from in-force business takes into account all tax which is expected to be paid under current legislation, including tax which would arise if surplus assets within the covered business were eventually to be distributed.

The value of the in-force business has been calculated on an after-tax basisand is grossed up to the pre-tax level for presentation in the incomestatement. The amount used for the grossing up is the amount of shareholder taxpayable in the policyholder fund plus any direct tax charge within theshareholder fund.

Cost of capital

The cost of holding the required capital to support the covered business (see3b below) is reflected as a deduction from the value of in-force business andis determined as the difference between the amount of the required capital andthe projected release of capital and investment income.

Financial options and guarantees

The principal financial options and guarantees are (i) guaranteed annuity ratesoffered on some unit-linked pension contracts and (ii) a guarantee offeredunder Timed Investment Funds that the unit price available at the selectedmaturity date (or at death, if earlier) will be the highest price attained overthe policy's life. The cost of these options and guarantees has been assessed,in principle, on a market-consistent basis, but, in practice, this has beencarried out on approximate bases, which are appropriate to the level ofmateriality of the results.

Allowance for risk

Allowance for risk within the covered business is made by:

1. Setting required capital levels by reference to the Directors' assessment

of capital needs;

2. Setting the risk discount rate, which is applied to the projected cash

flows arising on the in-force business, at a level which includes an

appropriate risk margin; and

3. Explicit allowance for the cost of financial options and guarantees and,

where appropriate, for reinsurer default.

b) Level of Required Capital

The level of required capital of the covered business reflects the amount ofcapital that the Directors consider necessary and appropriate to manage thebusiness. In forming their policy the Directors have regard to the minimumstatutory requirements and an internal assessment of the market, insurance andoperational risks inherent in the underlying products and business operations.The capital requirement resulting from this assessment represents 150% of thelong-term insurance capital requirement ('LTICR') together with 100% of theresilience capital requirement ('RCR'), as set out in FSA regulations.

The required capital is provided by the retained surplus in the long-term business fund and the retained earnings and issued share capital in the shareholder fund.

c) Risk Discount Rate

The risk discount rate ('RDR') is a combination of the risk-free rate and arisk margin. The risk-free rate reflects the time value of money and the riskmargin reflects any residual risks inherent in the covered business and makesallowance for the risk that future experience will differ from that assumed. Inorder to reduce the subjectivity when setting the RDR, the Board has decided toadopt a 'bottom up' market-consistent approach to allow explicitly for marketrisk.Using the market-consistent approach each cash flow is valued at a discountrate consistent with that used in the capital markets: in accordance with this,equity-based cash flows are discounted at an equity RDR and bond-based cashflows at a bond RDR. In practice a short-cut method known as the 'certaintyequivalent' approach has been adopted. This method assumes that all cash flowsearn the risk-free rate of return and are discounted at the risk-free rate. Ingeneral, and consistent with the market's approach to valuing financialinstruments for hedging purposes, the risk-free rate is based on swap yields.Where, however, non-linked business is substantially backed by governmentbonds, the yields on these assets have been taken.Within the risk margin, allowance also needs to be made for non-market risks.For some of these risks, e.g. mortality and expense risk, it is assumed thatthe shareholder can diversify away any uncertainty where the impact ofvariations in experience on future cash flows is symmetrical. For those risksthat are assumed to be diversifiable no adjustment to the risk margin has beenmade. For any remaining risks that are considered to be non-diversifiable risksthere is no risk premium observable in the market and therefore a constantmargin of 50 basis points has been added to the risk margin. The RDR isdetermined by equating the results from the traditional embedded valueapproach, including the assumed actual investment returns and traditional costof capital, to that derived using the market-consistent method, this processbeing known as calibration of the RDR. The risk margin is then the differencebetween the derived RDR and the risk-free rate. The selection of the assumedactual investment returns and the reported cost of capital will have no impacton the reported result, as changes in these produce corresponding changes inthe RDR.A market-consistent valuation approach also generally requires consideration of'frictional' costs of holding shareholder capital: in particular, the cost oftax on investment returns and the impact of investment management fees canreduce the face value of shareholder funds. In the Group's case, the expensesrelating to corporate governance functions eliminate any taxable investmentreturn in shareholder funds, while investment management fees are not material.

The risk margin established on the basis set out above is normally calculated at each financial year-end. At interim periods, the discount rate normally remains consistent with the investment return assumptions. The margin over investment return assumptions is, however, reassessed if market conditions change significantly.

d) Analysis of Profit

The contribution to operating profit, which is identified at a level which reflects an assumed longer-term level of investment return, arises from three sources:

i. New business;ii. Return from in-force business; andiii. Return from shareholder net worth.

Additional contributions to profit arise from:

i. Variances between the actual investment return in the period and the

assumed long-term investment return; andii. The effect of economic assumption changes.The contribution from new business represents the value recognised at the endof each period in respect of new business written in that period, afterallowing for the cost of acquiring the business, the cost of establishing therequired technical provisions and after making allowance for the cost ofcapital.

The return from in-force business is calculated using closing assumptions and comprises:

i. The expected return, being the unwind of the discount rate over the period

applied to establish the value of in-force business, at the beginning of

the period; ii. Variances between the actual experience over the period and the assumptions

made to establish the value of business in force at the beginning of the

period; and iii. The net effect of changes in future assumptions, made prospectively at the

end of the period, from those used in establishing the value of business

in-force at the beginning of the period, other than changes in economic

assumptions.

The contribution from shareholder net worth comprises the actual investment return on residual assets in excess of the required capital.

e) Assumption Setting

There is a requirement under EEV methodology to use best estimate demographicassumptions and to review these at least annually with the economic assumptionsbeing determined at each reporting date. The current practice is detailedbelow.Each year the demographic assumptions are reviewed as part of year-endprocessing and hence were last reviewed in December 2007. For mid-yearreporting, the previous year-end assumptions are usually considered in light ofrecent experience, particularly persistency, to ensure robustness, but are notnecessarily expected to change.The detailed projection assumptions, including mortality, morbidity,persistency and expenses reflect recent operating experience. Allowance is madefor future improvement in annuitant mortality based on experience andexternally published data. Favourable changes in operating experience,particularly in relation to expenses and persistency, are not anticipated untilthe improvement in experience has been observed. Holding company expenses (forthe Chesnara Group such expenses relate largely to listed company functions)are allocated to the covered business as the whole business of the ChesnaraGroup is the transaction of life assurance business through the subsidiarycompanies. Hence the expense assumptions used for the cash flow projectionsinclude the full cost of servicing this business.The economic assumptions are reviewed and updated at each reporting date basedon underlying investment conditions at the reporting date. The assumed discountrate and inflation rates are consistent with the investment return assumptions.In addition, the demographic assumptions used at December 2007 are consideredto be best estimate and, consequently, no further adjustments are required. Theassumptions required in the calculation of the value of the annuity rateguarantee on pension business have been set equal to best-estimate assumptions. 4. Assumptions

a. Investment Returns (pre tax)

The assumed future pre-tax returns on fixed interest and RPI linked

securities are set by reference to redemption yields available in the

market at the end of the reporting period. The corresponding return on

equities and property is equal to the fixed interest gilt assumptions plus

an appropriate risk margin; for equities the return is split between

franked income and capital gains based on the current dividend yield.

For linked business the aggregate return has been determined by reference

to the benchmark asset mix within the Managed Funds. 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Equity risk premium 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% Property risk premium 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% Investment return Fixed Interest 5.2% 5.3% 4.6% Equities 7.9% 8.0% 7.3% Property 7.9% 8.0% 7.3% UK Equities dividend yield - - - Inflation RPI 3.9% 3.2% 3.1% b. Actuarial Assumptions

The demographic assumptions used to determine the value of the in-force

business have been set at levels commensurate with the underlying operating

experience identified in the periodic actuarial investigations.

c. Taxation

Projected tax has been determined assuming current tax legislation and

rates continue unaltered, except where future tax rates or practices have

been announced.

d. Expenses

The expense levels are based on internal expense analysis investigations

and are appropriately allocated to the new business and policy maintenance

functions. These have been determined by reference to: i) The outsourcing agreements in place with our third-party business process administrators;

ii) Anticipated revisions to the terms of such agreements as they fall due

for renewal; and iii) Corporate governance costs relating to the covered business.

The expense assumptions also include the expected future holding company

expenses which will be recharged to the covered business. No allowance has been made for future productivity improvements in the expense assumptions. e. Risk Discount RateThe risk-free rate is set by reference to the sterling mid swap rates availablein the market at the end of the reporting period. Where, however, non-linkedbusiness is substantially backed by government bonds, the yields on theseassets have been used.An explicit constant margin of 50 basis points is added to the risk-free rateto cover any remaining risks that are considered to be non-market,non-diversifiable risks, as there is no risk premium observable in the market.This margin gives due recognition to the fact that:

i) The covered business is substantially closed to new business;

ii) There is no significant exposure in the with-profits business, which is wholly reassured;

iii) Expense risk is limited as a result of the outsourcing of substantially all policy administration functions to third-party business process administrators; and

iv) For much of the Life business the Group has the ability to vary risk charges made to policyholders.

30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Risk-free rate 5.6% 5.6% 5.0% Non-diversifiable risk 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% Risk margin 2.2% 0.7% 2.2% Risk discount rate 8.3% 6.8% 7.7% The risk margin is derived as a result of the calibration of the RDR, asexplained in Note 3c above. The significant increase from 30 June 2007 to 31December 2007 and 30 June 2008 reflects a change in the projected long-term taxposition of the covered business. As at 30 June 2007, there were differences inthe projected tax basis and, hence, in the absolute level of projected tax asbetween the market-consistent approach and the traditional embedded valueapproach: these differences were, effectively, eliminated by the calibrationprocess and this resulted in an apparently lower level of derived risk margin.As at 31 December 2007 and 30 June 2008, the projected tax position between thetwo approaches is consistent so that there are no differences which areeliminated by the calibration process and this results in a higher level ofderived risk margin.

5. Analysis of shareholders' equity

30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 Covered business ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Required capital 36,962 42,314 39,149 Free surplus 20,104 34,748 38,483 ---------- ---------- ---------- Shareholder net worth 57,066 77,062 77,632 Value of in-force business 85,939 105,607 94,007 ---------- ---------- ---------- Embedded value of covered 143,005 182,669 171,639 business Less: amount financed by (8,326) (12,600) (12,469)borrowings ---------- ---------- ---------- Embedded value of covered business attributable to shareholders 134,679 170,069 159,170 Net equity of other Group 44,369 companies 18,345 28,145 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========== ========== =========== The movement in the value of in-force business comprises:

Value at beginning of period 94,007 109,941 109,941

Amount charged to operating (8,068) (4,334) (15,934)profit ---------- ---------- ---------- Value at end of period 85,939 105,607 94,007 ========== ========== ==========

On 2 June 2005, the Group drew down ‚£21m on a bank loan facility, in order topart fund the acquisition of CWA Life Holdings plc. This effectivelyrepresented, by way of debt finance, a purchase of part of the underlying valuein force within that company, which was subsequently transferred to CountrywideAssured plc on 30 June 2006 under the provisions of Part VII of the FinancialServices and Markets Act 2000. It follows that the embedded value of thecovered business is not attributable to equity shareholders of the Group to theextent of the outstanding balance on the loan account at each balance sheetdate. The loan is repayable in five equal annual instalments on the anniversaryof the draw-down date, the funds for the repayment effectively being providedby way of the realisation of the underlying value of in-force business of thecovered business. In accordance with this, a further ‚£4.2m of the loan wasrepaid on 2 June 2008, leaving principal outstanding at that date of ‚£8.4m.

6. Analysis of profit of covered business

Six months ended Year Ended 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 New business contribution 549 615 1,261 Return from in-force business Expected return 5,389 5,217 10,206 Experience variances (9,894) 4,092 394 Operating assumption changes - (4,242)

(4,236)

Return on shareholder net (1,378) 816 2,053 worth ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating profit (5,334) 6,498 9,678 Variation from longer-term 428 (571) 824 investment return Effect of economic assumption (950) 5,697 (4,043) changes ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit before tax (5,856) 11,624 6,459 Tax 7,232 (3,350) 5,677 ---------- ---------- ---------- Profit after tax 1,376 8,274 12,136 ========== ========== ========== The profit of covered business varies from amounts presented in the

summarised consolidated income statement in respect of the pre-tax result

of the holding company presented as 'other operational result', and in

respect of any tax pertaining thereto, which is included in 'other tax'.

Experience variances for the six months ended 30 June 2008 reflect the

impact of significant adverse global investment market conditions over that

period. There has been a significant reduction in the estimate of future

tax payable, as this is dependent, to a significant extent, on the associated

projection of investment returns and franked investment income.

7. Sensitivities to alternative assumptions

The following table shows the sensitivity of the embedded value of the coveredbusiness at relevant period end dates to variations in the assumptions adoptedin the calculation of the embedded value. Sensitivity analysis is not providedin respect of the new business contribution for the six months ended 30 June2008 as the reported level of new business contribution is not considered to bematerial (see Note 3(a) above). It largely relates to guaranteed bond business,where a close asset/liability matching approach leaves values largelyinsensitive to changes in experience. 30 June 31

December

2008 2007 2007 Embedded Value ('EV') of covered ‚£143.0m ‚£182.7m ‚£171.6m business ---------- ---------- ----------Change in EV ‚£m ‚£m ‚£m Economic sensitivities

100 basis point increase in risk (4.8) (5.1) (4.7) discount rate

100 basis point reduction in yield 2.2 (3.3)

2.9

curve 10% decrease in equity and property (5.1) (2.8) (5.2)values Operating sensitivities 10% decrease in maintenance expenses 2.2 2.4 1.9 10% decrease in lapse rates 3.6 3.3 3.7

5% decrease in mortality/morbidity

rates Assurances 1.6 2.0 1.8 Annuities (0.8) (0.5) (0.8) Reduction in the required capital to 1.9 0.8 1.8statutory minimum

The key assumption changes represented by each of these sensitivities are as follows:

Economic sensitivities

i. 100 basis point increase in the risk discount rate. The 8.3% RDR increases

to 9.3%;

ii. 100 basis point reduction in the yield curve. The fixed interest return is

reduced by 1% and the equity/property returns are also reduced by 1%, thus

maintaining constant equity/property risk premiums. The rate of future

inflation has also been reduced by 1% so that real yields remain constant. In

addition the risk discount rate has also reduced by 1%; and

iii. 10% decrease in the equity and property values. This gives rise to a

situation where, for example, a Managed Fund unit liability with a 60%

equity holding would reduce by 6% in value.

Operating sensitivities

i. 10% decrease in maintenance expenses, giving rise to, for example, a base

assumption of ‚£20 per policy pa reducing to ‚£18 per policy pa; ii. 10% decrease in persistency rates giving rise to, for example, a base

assumption of 10% of policy base lapsing pa reducing to 9% pa; iii. 5% decrease in mortality/morbidity rates giving rise to, for example, a

base assumption of 100% of the parameters in a selected mortality/morbidity

table reducing to 95% of the parameters in the same table; and iv. The sensitivity to the reduction in the required capital to the statutory

minimum shows the effect of reducing the required capital from 150% of the

LTICR plus 100% RCR to the amounts of 100% LTICR plus 100% RCR, being the

minimum requirement prescribed by FSA regulation.

In each sensitivity calculation all other assumptions remain unchanged except where they are directly affected by the revised economic conditions: for example, as stated, changes in interest rates will directly affect the risk discount rate.

The sensitivities to changes in the assumptions in the opposite direction willresult in changes of similar magnitude to those shown in the above table but inthe opposite direction.

8. Reconciliation of shareholders' equity on the IFRS basis to shareholder

equity on the EEV basis 30 June 31 December 2008 2007 2007 ‚£000 ‚£000 ‚£000 Shareholders' equity on the IFRS basis 123,542 115,956 125,784 Adjustments Deferred acquisition costs Investment contracts (8,595) (9,488) (8,961) Deferred income 14,674 16,309 15,426 Adjustment to provisions on investment contracts, net of amounts deposited with reinsurers (17,248) (18,393) (18,220) Adjustments to provisions on insurance contracts, net of reinsurers' share (294) (664) (600) Acquired in-force value (22,386) (24,544) (23,785) Deferred tax 3,416 3,631 3,664 ---------- ---------- ---------- Group shareholder net worth 93,109 82,807 93,308 ---------- ---------- ---------- Value of in-force business 85,939 105,607 94,007 ---------- ---------- ---------- Shareholders' equity on the EEV basis 179,048 188,414 187,315 ========== ========== ========== Group shareholder net worth comprises: Shareholder net worth in covered business 57,066 77,062 77,632 Shareholder's equity in other Group companies 44,369 18,345 28,145 Debt finance (8,326) (12,600) (12,469) ---------- ---------- ---------- Total 93,109 82,807 93,308 ========== ========== ==========

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT BY KPMG AUDIT PLC TO CHESNARA PLC

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financialstatements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June2008, which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, theCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows,the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and therelated explanatory notes and to review the European Embedded Value BasisSupplementary Information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 which comprisesthe Summarised Consolidated Interim Income Statement, the SummarisedConsolidated Interim Balance Sheet, the Summarised Consolidated InterimStatement of Changes in Equity and the related explanatory notes ("theSupplementary Information").

We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements or the Supplementary Information.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of ourengagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosureand Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Services Authority("the UK FSA") and also to provide a review conclusion to Company on theSupplementary Information. Our review of the condensed set of financial statementshas been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we arerequired to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. Our review ofthe Supplementary Information has been undertaken so that we might state to theCompany those matters we have been engaged to state in this report and for noother purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept orassume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, forthis report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has beenapproved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing thehalf-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA. Thedirectors have accepted responsibility for preparing the SupplementaryInformation contained in the half-yearly financial report in accordance withthe European Embedded Value Principles issued in May 2004 by the European CFOForum and supplemented by the Additional Guidance on European Embedded ValueDisclosures issued in October 2005 (together the 'EEV Principles') and fordetermining the methodology and assumptions used in the application of thoseprinciples.As disclosed in Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements , theannual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSsas adopted by the EU. The condensed set of financial statements included inthis half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.The Supplementary Information has been prepared in accordance with the EEVPrinciples, using the methodology and assumptions set out in Notes 3 to 4 tothe Supplementary Information. The Supplementary Information should be read inconjunction with the Group's condensed set of financial statements which areset out on pages 15 to 21. Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements and the Supplementary Information in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our reviews in accordance with International Standard on ReviewEngagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information and Supplementary Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entityissued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interimfinancial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us tobelieve that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearlyfinancial report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is not prepared, in allmaterial respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTRof the UK FSA.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Supplementary Information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the EEV Principles, using the methodology and assumptions set out in notes 3 to 4 to the Supplementary Information.

KPMG Audit Plc 28 August 2008Chartered AccountantsSt James SquareManchester M2 6DS